Photographic film assemblage

ABSTRACT

A photographic film pack including a container having a forward wall and dependent end and sidewalls formed of a rigid vaporimpermeable material such as sheet metal and an opening at the rear; a plurality of self-developing film units each including a photosensitive element stacked within the container; a support member located behind the stack of film units; a battery located behind the backing member; and a vapor-impermeable closure for the opening at the rear, the closure being displaceable relative to the forward wall. The forward wall includes an exposure opening and one end wall is formed with a withdrawal opening for the film units. A vapor-impermeable cover is removably secured to the container in closing relationship to the exposure and withdrawal openings. The film pack is adapted to be employed in electrically operated photographic apparatus, having a springbiased pressure member adapted to extend into the container through the opening at the rear for urging the film units toward the forward wall to locate the forwardmost film unit in position for exposure, and spring-biased electrical contacts for engaging the terminals of the battery to couple the battery to electrically energized means within the camera.

United States Patent Erlichman et a1.

[54] PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM ASSEMBLAGE [72] inventors: Irving Erlichman,Wayland; Maxwell E.

Lawrence, West Acton, both of Mass.

[73] Assignee: Polaroid Corporation, Cambridge, Mass. [22] Filed: Dec.19, 1968 [21] Appl. No.: 785,157

[52] U.S. Cl ..95/19, 95/13, 95/31, 95/66 [51] Int. Cl. ..G03b 19/10[58] Field ofSearch ..95/13, 14, 19,31,66, 11

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,543,662 12/1970Erlichman... ..95/11 R 2,854,908 10/1958 Eloranta ...95/66 X 2,903,9519/1959 Land ...95/66 X 2,906,182 9/1959 Booth et al.. .95/66 X 2,989,9061/1961 Rentschler.. ...95/31 X 3,046,861 6/ 1 962 Eloranta ..95/133,264,963 8/1966 Finelli ...95/ 13 3,350,991 11/1967 Murphy ...95/133,386,361 6/1968 Danti ..95/13 3,481,261 12/ 1969 Fischer et a1. ..95/313,490,350 1/ 1970 Hardies et al ..95/31 1 Feb. 22, 1972 PrimaryExaminer.lohn M. Horan Assistant Examiner-Thomas A. Mauro Attorney-Brownand Mikulka, Robert E. Corb and Alfred E. Corr-igan [57] ABSTRACT Aphotographic film pack including a container having a forward wall anddependent end and sidewalls formed of a rigid vapor-impermeable materialsuch as sheet metal and an opening at the rear; a plurality ofself-developing film units each including a photosensitive elementstacked within the container; a support member located behind the stackof film units; a battery located behind the backing member; and avapor-impermeable closure for the opening at the rear, the closure beingdisplaceable relative to the forward wall. The forward wall includes anexposure opening and one end wall is formed with a withdrawal openingfor the film units. A vapor-impermeable cover is removably secured tothe container in closing relationship to the exposure and withdrawalopenings. The film pack is adapted to be employed in electricallyoperated photographic apparatus, having a spring-biased pressure memberadapted to extend into the container through the opening at the rear forurging the film units toward the forward wall to locate the forwardmostfilm unit in position for exposure, and spring-biased electricalcontacts for engaging the terminals of the battery to couple the batteryto electrically energized means within the camera.

26 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENYEDrmz m2 SHEET 1 OF 5 .INVENTORS mvmeERIEICHMAN on MAXWELL E. LAWRENCE G/naL & o ATTORNEYS 7 PATENTEDFEBZZ m2SHEET 2 OF 5 INVENTORS IRVING ERLCHMAN an BY MAXWELL E. LAWRENCE ill.

5mm. 3% M ATTORNEYS b aQQwN riltmfnreaza I972 INVENTORS IRVING ERLICHMANWELL A Twi /E576 z.

PAIENTEUreazz I972 SHEET '5 OF 5 FIGQG (in BY MAXWELL E. LAWRENCE filwumml m Arroh s 7 PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM ASSEMBLAGE The present invention isconcerned with improvements in photographic film assemblages or packs ofthe type especially adapted to be employed in an electrically operatedselfdeveloping camera and including a container and a plurality of filmunits, each including a photosensitive element, adapted to be exposedwithin the container, withdrawn therefrom following exposure and thenprocessed. The container is provided with an elongated opening in oneend thereof dimensioned to permit the passage of a film unittherethrough and a forward wall having a light-transmitting section orexposure aperture therein. The film units of the above-mentioned typeinclude all of the materials necessary to produce a positivephotographic print, including, for example, a photosensitive element, animage-receiving element which is transparent and is secured inface-to-face relation with the photosensitive element, and a rupturablecontainer of processing liquid secured to the leading ends of theelements for dispensing its liquid contents therebetween in response tothe application of compressive pressure to the container. The film unitsare stacked within the container with the leading end of each film unitpositioned adjacent an end wall and with a forwardmost film unitpositioned with its photosensitive side facing in the direction of saidforward wall in position for exposure to light transmitted through saidlight-transmitting section and an end in alignment with the elongatedopening.

Heretofore, it has been the practice in film packs of this type toprovide support means in the form of a spring-biased platen within thefilm container for engaging the rearmost film unit, that is. the filmunit furthest from the forward wall and for urging the film units towardthe forward wall to position the forwardmost film unit against theforward wall in position for exposure to light admitted through thelight-transmitting section. The entire film assemblage is then enclosedin an opaque package or wrapper which is impervious to vapor,particularly water vapor, which may change the moisture content of thephotosensitive and/or image-receiving elements. Changes in moisturecontent may result in both physical and chemical changes in the sheetmaterial which may, in turn, adversely affect exposure and/or processingof the film unit. However, furnishing each film assemblage with aspringbiased platen and enclosing the assemblage in a separate outermoisture-impermeable package or wrapper, as has been the prior artpractice, adds substantially to the final cost of the assemblage.

An object of the invention is to provide in a film assemblage of thetype described, a film container which is not required to be packaged ina separate outer wrapper or container of vapor-impermeable material.

Another object of the invention is to provide a film assemblage of thetype described including a film container which functions as a part of avapor-impermeable enclosure for the film units ofthe film assemblage.

A further object of the invention is to provide a film, assemblage ofthe type described which does not incorporate a spring-biased pressureplate and which is adapted for use with a camera or other photographicapparatus having a spring biased pressure plate.

Still another object of the invention is to provide in a film assemblageof the type described, a battery adapted to cooperate with electricallyenergized components ofa camera or other photographic apparatus, whichfunction to expose and/or process the film unit container in the filmassemblage.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in partappear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the product possessing the features,properties and the relation of components which are exemplified in thefollowing detailed disclosure, and the scope of the application of whichwill be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention,reference should be had to the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view. partly in section, ofthe film assemblageof the instant invention;

FIG 2 is a side view, partly in section, of the film assemblage ofFlG.1;

FIGS. 3 through 6 are side views, partly in section, of variousembodiments ofthe film assemblage ofFIG. l; and

FIG. 7 is a view ofthe film assemblage of FIG. 6 taken along line 7-7.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 1 and 2 wherein there is illustrated'afilm assemblage or pack denoted generally by reference numeral 10. Thethicknesses of the various materials have been exaggerated for purposesof clarity of illustration and do not necessarily reflect the relativethickness of the actual components. Film assemblage 10 includes acontainer 12, formed of vapor-impermeable, rigid material such as metal,for example, aluminum or steel, having a generally planar forward wall14, and sidewalls 16, 18 and end walls 20, 22 dependent from the forwardwall. The container shown is designed to be fabricated from sheet metal,and for this reason, the corners at the junctures of the end andsidewalls are curved. Forward wall 14 has a light-transmitting sectionor exposure aperture 24 therein defined by a stiffening flange 26 formedby bending edge portions of the forward wall upon themselves as shown inFIG. 2; and an elongated slot 28 for receiving means mounted in a cameraor other photographic apparatus for engaging and moving the forwardmostfilm unit from the container. Wall 14 is embossed inwardly to form aplurality of ribs 11 for increasing the stiffness and rigidity of thewall. The inner surfaces of ribs 11 are located in a common plane whichpreferably corresponds with the focal plane of the camera lens oroptical system ofother photographic apparatus with which the filmassemblage is adapted to be employed. End wall 22 includes an elongatedopening 30, extending substantially from side to side of the container,through which film units are adapted to be moved subsequent to exposure.The edge portion 23 of forward wall 14 adjacent opening 30 is foldedoutwardly upon itself to further stiffen the wall structure whilelateral edge portions 25 are folded laterally outward to provide roundedcorners for the end edges of opening 30. End wall 22 further includes asan integral part thereof an extension 32 which extends partly acrossopening 30 to prevent the movement of more than one film unit at a timethrough opening 30. Extension 32 is provided with a slit 34 along eachside thereof to increase its resiliency. It should be noted that endwalls 20 and 22 are not planar but are slightly bowed towards each otherto keep the corners of the film units out of the curved interiorsurfaces of the corners of container 12 thus substantially reducing thepossibility of one of the sharp corners ofa film unit binding againstthe rounded interior surface of an interior corner of the container soas to inhibit forward displacement ofthe film units.

Positioned within the container 12 are a plurality of film units 42, ofthe type shown and described in detail in the copending US. Patentapplications of Edwin H. Land, Ser. No. 622,287 filed on Mar. 10, 1967,and Edwin 11. Land et al., Ser. No. 622,286, filed Mar. 10, 1967, nowabandoned. Each film unit 42 preferably includes all of the materialsnecessary to produce a positive photographic print and includes aphotosensitive element, an image-receiving element which is transparentand is secured in face-to-face relation with the photosensitive elementand a rupturable container 44 of processing liquid secured to theleading ends of the photosensitive and image-receiving elements fordispensing its liquid contents therebetween in response to theapplication of compressive pressure to the container 44. Each film unitis adapted to be processed by advancing the film unit with container 44foremost, between a pair of pressure-applying members, e.g., rolls,which dispense the liquid contents of the container 44 therefrom betweenthe photosensitive and imagereceiving elements and spread the liquidbetween and in contact with the two elements toward the trailing endthereof. Each film unit is provided near one lateral edge thereof with aplurality of apertures (not shown), some of which are in alignment withslot 28, which are adapted to receive means in the camera or otherapparatus for cooperating with the apertures to move the film unit fromthe container 12 via the aforementioned withdrawal slot 30. At thispoint it should be noted that the thickness of each film unit variesfrom the leading end portion, i.e., container 44, toward the trailingend portion. The leading end of the film unit is of maximum thicknessbecause of container 44; the trailing end is of an intermediatethickness due in part to the traps 45 provided thereat to collect anysurplus processing liquid; and the portion therebetween including theexposure area is of a minimum thickness. Accordingly, the end ofcontainer 12 having withdrawal opening 30 is of a greater thickness ordepth than the opposite end of the container.

Positioned between the film unit 42 located adjacent thelight-transmitting section or exposure aperture 24 and forward wall 14is a safety cover in the form of an opaque sheet of relatively rigidmaterial 48 and a flexible skirt 50. Sheet 48 is substantiallycoextensive with forward wall 14 and includes a plurality of apertures46 for receiving means for moving the safety cover through slot 30.Flexible skirt 50 is made from any suitable material, e.g.,polyethylene, which is opaque and is secured to the underside of sheet48. Section 50 extends across withdrawal opening 30 and apertures 46 toprevent the admission of light through said opening and apertures.

A support member 60, formed of a relatively rigid sheet material such asan organic plastic or metal, engages and supports the rearmost film unit42. Member 60, which is substantially coextensive with film unit 42, mayhave its peripheral margins 62 turned downwardly, as viewed in FIG. 1,to stiffen the member, provide a light seal between member 60 and thewalls 16, 18, and 22 and to provide ease of movement of member 60 towardexposure aperture 24 and increased resistance to movement of member 60away from the exposure aperture. In an alternative embodiment, member 60is slightly.

longer than the inside length dimension of the container and thiscoupled with its resiliency causes member 60 to assume a bowed conditionconforming more closely'to the shape of the rearmost film unit. Member60 is preferably formed of flat, resilient sheet material or a materialhaving a memory such that it tends to return to a flat condition whenstresses thereon are removed.

A battery 64 is provided in the container shown mounted on the rearofmember 60 and isshown as being sufficiently flexible to conform to thecontour of support member 60. Battery 64 is provided for energizingcomponents of the camera or other apparatus employed to expose and/orprocess the film such as a shutter, illuminating device or a motor fordriving means for advancing a film unit from the container subsequent toexposure and move the film unit into the nip of a pair ofpressure-applying members, e.g., rolls, which process the film unit aswill be more clearly explained hereinafter. Battery 64 includesterminals 66 and 68 located on the same side of the battery, namely, therear or side opposite to that in engagement with member 60. Although asingle battery has been shown herein. it is to be understood that theterm battery is intended to encompass a power supply comprised of one ormore primary cells, e.g., two or more independent cells connected inseries or parallel.

The rear of container 12 is hermetically sealed by an opaque,vapor-impermeable closure material in the form of a sheet 70 which maybe flexible or relatively inflexible and has sufficient strength tosupport the film units and member 60 within the container 12. In theform shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, sheet 70 is flexible and includes pleatedportions 72 which are folded upon themselves around the periphery ofsheet 70 to enable the central portion 74 to be displaced forwardlytoward forward wall 14 under the urging of an external force, The rearedge portions of walls 16.18, 20 and 22 are turned outwardly andforwardly (as viewed in FIG. 1) andare used to crimp the peripheraledges 76 of sheet 70 to the side and end walls to form a vaporproof sealthereby securing sheet 70 to container 12. Section 74 of sheet 70includes a pair of apertures 78, 80 therein located in alignment withbattery terminals 66, 68 for receiving a pair of contacts as will beexplained shortly hereafter. The peripheral portions of the forwardsurface wall 70 of surrounding apertures 78, are suitably sealed to therear surface of the battery to prevent admission of vapor between thebattery and sheet 70. A sheet 71 of vapor-impermeable material isattached to sheet 70 and cooperates with sheet 70 to form an envelopecompletely enclosing the battery except for apertures 78, 80 to preventan: vapors given off by the battery from reaching the film units.Apertures 78 and 80 may be formed by weakening the area of sheet 70corresponding to the periphery of apertures 78, 80 and removing theweakened portion prior to inserting the film assemblage into a camera.Although the battery has been shown as mounted on member 60, it iswithin the scope of the instant invention to mount it on either side ofsheet 70.

As a closure for the exposure aperture 24 and withdrawal opening 30,there is provided a vapor-impermeable sheet 90. e.g., a laminatecomprised of layers of metal foil, paper, and a polymer, sealed, e.g.,by an adhesive, to forward wall 14 and extends across exposure aperture24, slot 28 and then rearwardly (as seen in FIG. 1) along end wall 22and across withdrawal opening 30 and is sealed to the end wall aroundthe withdrawal opening. The end of sheet is folded upon itself to form aV-shaped section 92 terminating in a tab 94, the V-shaped section 92being releasably wedged between edge 76 of sheet 70 and wall 22.Alternatively, section 92 can terminate at a position short of theupturned flange of wall 22 and be adhesively secured thereto. Sheet 90thus completes the vapor barrier which surrounds the film units and ofwhich container 12 is a component. The adhesive used to secure sheet 90to container 12 should be ofthe type which will maintain a hermetic sealtherebetween and yet enable sheet 90 to be easily removed from container12. Although sheet 90 is shown attached to the container when it ispositioned adjacent door 100, it is to be understood that it is removedprior to loading the container into the camera.

Mounted on a rear wall or loading door of a camera is a resilient,platenlike pressure memberin the form of a plate 102 having integralcantilever springsl04 extending from the plate to wall 100 whereat theyare slidably secured to wall 100 by fasteners 106 extending throughelongated slots 108 in the end portions 110 of legs 104. A pair ofresilient contacts 112, 114 are secured to the underside of plate 102 bya strip of nonconducting material 116 and are adapted to extend throughan opening 118 in plate 102. Contacts 112, 114 are adapted to engage theterminals 66, 68 of battery 64 upon positioning of the film assemblage10 in the aforementioned camera. Contacts 112, 114 are provided withsuitable wiring to direct a flow of current from the batteryto theelectrically energized components of the camera or accessory associatedtherewith.

When it is desired to load film assemblage 10 into a camera of the typedescribed above, tab 94 is pulled to free section 92 from the crimpingaction of wall 22 and portion 76 of sheet 70. it should be noted thatthe crimping action on section 92 is such that it may be withdrawnwithout detaching sheet 70 from wall 22. Once section 92 is free, theremainder of sheet 90 is removed from container 12. The film unit isthen positioned within the aforementioned camera and the loading door100 closed bringing contacts 112 and 114 into engagement with batteryterminals 66 and 68 and pressure plate 102 into engagement with closuresheet 70 for urging the film units toward forward wall 14. In thepreferred form of camera shown and described, actuation of the shuttermechanism of the camera completes a circuit to an electric motor foroperating a reciprocating picklike member'adapted to enter slot 28 andone of the apertures 46 in safety cover 48 to move the latter throughopening 30 and into the bite of a pair of rolls and rotate the rolls toadvance the cover therebetween to the exterior of the camera. Theforwardmost film unit is now ready for exposure.

In an alternative embodiment of the film assemblage the pleated flexiblesheet 70 may be replaced by a sheet of elastomer thereby obviating theneed for pleats or by a substantially rigid sheet having pleats near theends adjacent walls 20, 22. If the elastomer or rigid sheet is notvapor-impermeable, overlay sheet 90 would be extended to cover thosesections of container 12 which are not covered by a vapor-impermeablematerial, e.g., as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the photographic film assemblage in whichbattery 64 is attached to a medial portion of vapor-impermeable sheet 70and is separated from the film units by a second sheet ofvapor-impermeable material 71 which is secured to sheet 70. Again, sheet70 includes pleats or folded sections 72 which tend to unfold towardwall 14 and also allow the battery to move support member 60 and thefilm units toward forward wall 14 under the urging of pressure plate102. Also, note should be made that support member 60 may be slightlylonger in length than the length of container 12 instead of having thedownturned portions 62, and still accomplish the same functions, i.e.,one-way clutch effect and light seal.

FIG. 4 shows still another modification of film assemblage 10. Here. thelower ends of walls l6, 18, and 22 are turned inwardly. i.e.. towardsthe interior of container 12 to form support surfaces 120 for supportmember 60. Support member 60 may be slightly bowed as in FIG. 3 or itmay be substantially flat as shown herein in its position outside of thecamera. Also, sheet 70 has been eliminated and sheet 90 extended tocover wall 20 and the entire rear of container 12. FIG. 5 shows anembodiment similar to FIG. 4 except that the ends of the end andsidewalls are turned outwardly and upwardly; support member 60 is bowed;and sheet 90 is again lengthened to encompass walls 22. 14, 20 and therear of the container and is crimped between wall 20 and its upturnedend and between wall 22 and its upturned end. In both FIGS. 4 and 5 thebattery is enclosed in a vapor-impermeable material in a manner similarto that described above. In FIGS. 3-5 the film assemblage has been shownas including only three or four film units in order to more clearly showthe other elements of the assemblage and their cooperation with the filmunits.

FIG. 6 shows a further embodiment of the film assemblage of the instantinvention wherein the battery 64 is restrained against movement relativeto forward wall 14 by a flexible and nonelastic sheet 70. In thisembodiment pleats 72 in sheet 70 appear only along those portions of thesheet which are located adjacent walls 16 and 18. A pressure member 202having upturned flanges 204 which are generally parallel with walls 16and 18, is mounted on door 100. Resilient means in the form of springs206 are provided for biasing pressure member 202 forwardly. Member 202is formed with an aperture 208 therein for receiving a pair ofelectrical contacts mounted on resiliently biased members 212 and 214.Upon inserting the film assemblage into the camera and closing door 100,flanges 204 engage sheet 70 only at the pleated portions adjacentsidewalls 16 and 18 to move those portions of sheet 70 into engagementwith support member 60 to urge the latter and the film units towardforward wall 14 without moving battery 64. Contacts 212 and 214 areindependently biased into engagement with battery terminals 66, 68 viaopening 216 formed in sheet 70. Except for the area immediately aboveopening 216, the battery is enclosed in a vapor-impermeable materialsubstantially as set forth above. Alternatively, closure sheet 70 couldbe replaced by a vapor-impermeable rigid sheet having three openingstherein. The battery would be mounted on the rigid sheet with itsterminals located in line with one ofthe three openings. The other twoopenings, which would be located adjacent walls 16, 18, intermediatetheir ends, would be adapted to receive two spring biased, fingerlikemembers which would pass on opposite sides of the battery and contactpressure plate 60 directly while the contacts 212, 214 could be makingindependent contact with the battery terminals.

It can be seen from the foregoing that there has been disclosed a filmassemblage ofa relatively low cost, said low cost being realized byeliminating the spring and pressure member from the assemblageanddesigning it for use with a camera having a spring pressure member as acomponent thereof; and by reducing the cost of packaging the filmcontainer in a separate vapor-impermeable wrapper or container bymanufacturing the film container from a vapor-impermeable material andsecuring a vapor-impermeable material to the container itself only whereneeded to seal openings in the container and completely enclose the filmunits with a vapor-impermeable container.

Since certain changes may be made in the above product without departingfrom the scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that allmatter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

What is claimed is:

1. A photographic film assemblage comprising, in combination:

a container having vapor-impermeable forward, side, and end walls and anopening at the rear, said forward wall having a light-transmittingsection therein;

a plurality of film units arranged in stacked relation within saidcontainer with one of said film units located against said forward wallin position for exposure to light transmitted through saidlight-transmitting section;

a support member for engaging and supporting the film unit locatedfurthest from said forward wall;

a battery mounted within said container behind said support .member andincluding terminals located in position to be engaged by electricalcontacts located behind said battery and urged toward said forward wall;and

a vapor-impermeable closure for said opening at the rear of saidcontainer secured to said container and including at least a sectiondisplaceable relative to said forward wall.

2. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 1 wherein saidclosure is formed of an elastomer.

3. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 1 wherein saidforward, side, and end walls of said container are formed of arelatively rigid material, and said closure is formed of a relativelyflexible sheet material secured to said side and end walls by avapor-impermeable seal.

4. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 1 wherein saidclosure is formed ofa sheet material and includes at least portionsdisplaceable toward said forward wall.

5. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 4 wherein saidclosure is attached by crimping to said side and end walls.

6. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 4 wherein saidportions of said closure are located adjacent at least said sidewallsand are pleated.

7. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 6 wherein saidportions ofsaid closure are located adjacent both of said side and endwalls and are pleated.

8. A photographic film assemblage comprising, in combination:

a container having a vapor-impermeable forward, side, and end walls andan opening at the rear, said forward wall having a light-transmittingsection therein;

a plurality of film units arranged in stacked relation within saidcontainer with one of said film units located against said forward wallin position for exposure to light transmitted through saidlight-transmitting section;

a support member for engaging and supporting the film unit locatedfurthest from said forward wall;

a vapor-impermeable closure for said opening at the rear of saidcontainer secured to said container, said closure being formed of asheet material and including pleated portions located adjacent at leastsaid sidewalls, said pleated portions being displaceable toward saidforward wall; and

a battery mounted on said closure intermediate said pleated portionsthereof.

9. A photographic film assemblage comprising, in combination:

a container having vapor-impermeable forward, side, and end walls and anopening at the rear, said forward wall having a light-transmittingsection therein;

a plurality of film units arranged in stacked relation within saidcontainer with one of said film units located against said forward wallin position for exposure to light transmitted through saidlight-transmitting section;

a support member for engaging and supporting the film unit locatedfurthest from said forward wall;

a vapor-impermeable closure for said opening at the rear of saidcontainer secured to said container, said closure being formed of asheet material and including at least portions displaceable toward saidforward wall; and

a battery mounted on said closure.

10. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 9 wherein saidbattery is mounted on the inside of said closure.

11. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 10 wherein saidbattery includes terminals located in position to be engaged byelectrical contacts located behind said battery and said closureincludes at least one opening providing access to said battery terminalsand issecured to said battery around said opening by a vapor-impermeableseal.

12. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 9 wherein saidbattery is mounted on the outside of said closure.

13. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 1 14. Aphotographic film assemblage as defined in claim 13 wherein saidvapor-impermeable sheet material extends around and to the rear of saidcontainer to form said closure.

15. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 1 wherein saidbattery is mounted on said support member between the latter and saidclosure.

16. A photographic film assemblage comprising, in combination:

a container having vapor-impermeable forward, side, and 40 end walls andan opening at the rear, said forward wall having a light-transmittingsection therein;

a plurality of film units arranged in stacked relation within saidcontainer with one of said film units located against said forward wallin position for exposure to light transmitted through saidlight-transmitting section;

a support member movable within said container toward said forward wallfor engaging and supporting the film unit located furthest from saidforward wall;

means limiting movement of said support member away from said forwardwall; and

a vapor-impermeable closure for said opening at the rear of saidcontainer, said closure being removable to enable resilient means tourge said support member and said film units toward said forward wall.

17. A photographic film assemblage comprising, in combination:

a support member for engaging and supporting the film unit locatedfurthest from said forward wall;

a vapor-impermeable closure for said opening at the rear of saidcontainer secured to said container and including at least a sectiondisplaceable relative to said forward wall; and

a battery mounted on said closure within said container and behind saidsupport member, said battery including ter minals located in position tobe engaged by electrical contacts located behind said battery and urgedtoward said forward wall.

18. A photographic film assemblage comprising, in combination:

a container having vapor-impermeable forward, side. and end walls and anopening at the rear, said forward wall having a light-transmittingsection therein;

a plurality of film units arranged in stacked relation within saidcontainer with one of said film units located against said forward wallin position for exposure to light transmitted through saidlight-transmitting section;

a support member for engaging and supporting the film unit locatedfurthest from said forward wall;

a vapor-impermeable closure for said opening at the rear of saidcontainer, said closure including a vapor-impermeable envelope securedto said end and sidewalls and including at least a section displaceablerelative to said forward wall; and

a battery mounted within said envelope behind said support member, saidbattery including terminals located in position to be engaged byelectrical contacts located behind said battery and urged toward saidforward wall.v

19. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 18 whereinportions of said envelope adjacent at least said sidewalls are pleated.

20. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 1 wherein saidfilm units are rectangular, said forward wall is substantiallyrectangular, said end and sidewalls depend therefrom and the corners ofsaid container at the junctures of said end and sidewalls are rounded.

21. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 20 whereinopposite walls of said container are bowed inwardly toward one another.

22. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 21 wherein saidend walls are bowed toward one another and engage the end edges of saidfilm units intermediate the corners thereof.

23. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 22 wherein one ofsaid end walls is provided with an opening through which said one filmunit is movable.

24. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 23 wherein saidsidewalls are substantially linear and parallel with the lateral edgesof said film units for guiding said film units through said opening insaid one end wall.

25. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 1 wherein saidcontainer includes a rear wall formed of a relatively rigid,vapor-impermeable material, said opening at the rear of said containeris formed in said rear wall, and said closure for said opening issecured across said opening.

26. A container as defined in claim 16 further including a batterymounted on said support member, said battery including terminals locatedin position to be engaged by resiliently mounted electrical contacts forurging said battery, said support member, and said film units towardssaid forward wall.

1. A photographic film assemblage comprising, in combination: acontainer having vapor-impermeable forward, side, and end walls and anopening at the rear, said forward wall having a light-transmittingsection therein; a plurality of film units arranged in stacked relationwithin said container with one of said film units located against saidforward wall in position for exposure to light transmitted through saidlight-transmitting section; a support member for engaging and supportingthe film unit located furthest from said forward wall; a battery mountedwithin said container behind said support member and including terminalslocated in position to be engaged by electrical contacts located behindsaid battery and urged toward said forward wall; and a vapor-impermeableclosure for said opening at the rear of said container secured to saidcontainer and including at least a section displaceable relative to saidforward wall.
 2. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 1wherein said closure is formed of an elastomer.
 3. A photographic filmassemblage as defined in claim 1 wherein said forward, side, and endwalls of said container are formed of a relatively rigid material, andsaid closure is formed of a relatively flexible sheet material securedto said side and end walls by a vapor-impermeable seal.
 4. Aphotographic film assemblage as defined in claim 1 wherein said closureis formed of a sheet material and includes at least portionsdisplaceable toward said forward wall.
 5. A photographic film assemblageas defined in claim 4 wherein said closure is attached by crimping tosaid side and end walls.
 6. A photographic film assemblage as defined inclaim 4 wherein said portions of said closure are located adjacent atleast said sidewalls and are pleated.
 7. A photographic film assemblageas defined in claim 6 wherein said portions of said closure are locatedadjacent both of said side and end walls and are pleated.
 8. Aphotographic film assemblage comprising, in combination: a containerhaving a vapor-impermeable forward, side, and end walls and an openingat the rear, said forward wall having a light-transmitting sectiontherein; a plurality of film units arranged in stacked relation withinsaid container with one of said film units located against said forwardwall in position for exposure to light transmitted through saidlight-transmitting section; a support member for engaging and supportingthe film unit located furthest from said forward wall; avapor-impermeable closure for said opening at the rear of said containersecured to said container, said closure being formed of a sheet materialand including pleated portions located adjacent at least said sidewalls,said pleated portions being displaceable toward said forward wall; and abattery mounted on said closure intermediate said pleated portionsthereof.
 9. A photographic film assemblage comprising, in combination: acontainer having vapor-impermeable forward, side, and end walls and anopening at the rear, said forward wall having a light-transmittingsection therein; a plurality of film units arranged in stacked relationwithin said container with one of said film units located against saidforward wall in position for exposure to light transmitted through saidlight-transmitting section; a support member for engaging and supportingthe film unit located furthest from said forward wall; avapor-impermeable closure for said opening at the rear of said containersecured to said container, said closure being formed of a sheet materialand inCluding at least portions displaceable toward said forward wall;and a battery mounted on said closure.
 10. A photographic filmassemblage as defined in claim 9 wherein said battery is mounted on theinside of said closure.
 11. A photographic film assemblage as defined inclaim 10 wherein said battery includes terminals located in position tobe engaged by electrical contacts located behind said battery and saidclosure includes at least one opening providing access to said batteryterminals and is secured to said battery around said opening by avapor-impermeable seal.
 12. A photographic film assemblage as defined inclaim 9 wherein said battery is mounted on the outside of said closure.13. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 1 wherein saidlight-transmitting section comprises an opening in said forward wall,one of said end walls is formed with an opening through which said onefilm unit is movable, and said film assemblage includes avapor-impermeable sheet material removably secured to said container inclosing relation to said openings in said forward and one end walls. 14.A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 13 wherein saidvapor-impermeable sheet material extends around and to the rear of saidcontainer to form said closure.
 15. A photographic film assemblage asdefined in claim 1 wherein said battery is mounted on said supportmember between the latter and said closure.
 16. A photographic filmassemblage comprising, in combination: a container havingvapor-impermeable forward, side, and end walls and an opening at therear, said forward wall having a light-transmitting section therein; aplurality of film units arranged in stacked relation within saidcontainer with one of said film units located against said forward wallin position for exposure to light transmitted through saidlight-transmitting section; a support member movable within saidcontainer toward said forward wall for engaging and supporting the filmunit located furthest from said forward wall; means limiting movement ofsaid support member away from said forward wall; and a vapor-impermeableclosure for said opening at the rear of said container, said closurebeing removable to enable resilient means to urge said support memberand said film units toward said forward wall.
 17. A photographic filmassemblage comprising, in combination: a container havingvapor-impermeable forward, side, and end walls and an opening at therear, said forward wall having a light-transmitting section therein; aplurality of film units arranged in stacked relation within saidcontainer with one of said film units located against said forward wallin position for exposure to light transmitted through saidlight-transmitting section; a support member for engaging and supportingthe film unit located furthest from said forward wall; avapor-impermeable closure for said opening at the rear of said containersecured to said container and including at least a section displaceablerelative to said forward wall; and a battery mounted on said closurewithin said container and behind said support member, said batteryincluding terminals located in position to be engaged by electricalcontacts located behind said battery and urged toward said forward wall.18. A photographic film assemblage comprising, in combination: acontainer having vapor-impermeable forward, side, and end walls and anopening at the rear, said forward wall having a light-transmittingsection therein; a plurality of film units arranged in stacked relationwithin said container with one of said film units located against saidforward wall in position for exposure to light transmitted through saidlight-transmitting section; a support member for engaging and supportingthe film unit located furthest from said forward wall; avapor-impermeable closure for said opening at the rear of saidcontainer, said closure including a vapor-impermEable envelope securedto said end and sidewalls and including at least a section displaceablerelative to said forward wall; and a battery mounted within saidenvelope behind said support member, said battery including terminalslocated in position to be engaged by electrical contacts located behindsaid battery and urged toward said forward wall.
 19. A photographic filmassemblage as defined in claim 18 wherein portions of said envelopeadjacent at least said sidewalls are pleated.
 20. A photographic filmassemblage as defined in claim 1 wherein said film units arerectangular, said forward wall is substantially rectangular, said endand sidewalls depend therefrom and the corners of said container at thejunctures of said end and sidewalls are rounded.
 21. A photographic filmassemblage as defined in claim 20 wherein opposite walls of saidcontainer are bowed inwardly toward one another.
 22. A photographic filmassemblage as defined in claim 21 wherein said end walls are bowedtoward one another and engage the end edges of said film unitsintermediate the corners thereof.
 23. A photographic film assemblage asdefined in claim 22 wherein one of said end walls is provided with anopening through which said one film unit is movable.
 24. A photographicfilm assemblage as defined in claim 23 wherein said sidewalls aresubstantially linear and parallel with the lateral edges of said filmunits for guiding said film units through said opening in said one endwall.
 25. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 1 whereinsaid container includes a rear wall formed of a relatively rigid,vapor-impermeable material, said opening at the rear of said containeris formed in said rear wall, and said closure for said opening issecured across said opening.
 26. A container as defined in claim 16further including a battery mounted on said support member, said batteryincluding terminals located in position to be engaged by resilientlymounted electrical contacts for urging said battery, said supportmember, and said film units towards said forward wall.